Education/Certification: High school diploma or GED. 48 college credit hours or Paraprofessional Certificate to meet ESSA requirements. Valid Texas Educational Aide certificate.

(Note: The COCISD Human Resources Dept. can work with you to obtain the Paraprofessional and Educational Aide certificates).

Special Knowledge/Skills: Ability to work with children with disabilities Ability to follow verbal and written instructions. Ability to communicate effectively Knowledge of general office equipment.

Experience: Some experience working with children.

Primary Purpose: Help meet physical and instructional needs of students with disabilities in a classroom. Assist in implementation of classroom programs, including self-help, behavior management, and instruction programs. Work under general supervision of principal and immediate direction of certified teacher.

Instructional Support

1. Help teacher prepare instructional materials and classroom displays.

2. Help maintain a neat and orderly classroom.

3. Help with inventory, care, and maintenance of equipment.

4. Help teacher keep administrative records and prepare required reports.

5. Provide orientation and assistance to substitute teachers.

Student Management

6. Assist students with physical disabilities according to their needs including transferring to and from wheelchairs; lifting; positioning; or assisting students with personal care such as feeding, bathroom needs, and personal hygiene.

7. Keep teacher informed of special needs or problems of individual students.

8. Help manage behavior of students. This includes intervening in crisis situations and restraining disruptive or dangerous students as needed.

9. Recognize differences in each student’s special medical, physical, communicative, and emotional needs and adapt methods and interaction accordingly.

10. Work with individual students or small groups to develop motor skills and conduct instructional exercises assigned by teacher.

11. Help supervise students throughout the school day, inside and outside the classroom. This includes lunchroom, bus, and playground duty.

Other

12.Maintain confidentiality.

13. Participate in staff development training programs, faculty meetings, and special events as assigned.

14. Follow district safety protocols and emergency procedures.

Supervisory Responsibilities: None.

Mental Demands/Physical Demands/Environmental Factors:

Tools/Equipment Used: Standard office equipment including computer and peripherals; standard instructional equipment; other specialized and adaptive equipment used by students.

Posture: Frequent standing; kneeling/squatting, bending/stooping, pushing/pulling, and twisting.

Motion: Frequent walking and reaching.

Lifting: Frequent light lifting and carrying (less than 15 pounds); Occasional heavy lifting (45 pounds or over) and positioning or students with physical disabilities, controlling behavior through physical restraint, assisting nonambulatory students, and lifting and moving adaptive and other classroom equipment.

Environment: Work inside and outside (exposure to sun, heat, cold, and inclement weather); exposure to noise; exposure to biological hazards (bacteria, communicable diseases).

Mental Demands: Work with frequent interruptions; maintain emotional control under stress.

Note: This is not necessarily an exhaustive or all-inclusive list of responsibilities, skills, duties, requirements, efforts, functions or working conditions associated with the job. This job description is not a contract of employment or a promise or guarantee of any specific terms or conditions of employment. The school district may add to, modify or delete any aspect of this job (or the position itself) at any time it deems advisable.